What 921 owners told NHTSA about the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco

While driving my 2013 Chevrolet Malibu (2.5L), I experienced a sudden and severe failure of the braking system. [Insert exactly what happened here—for example: 'The brake pedal suddenly went completely to the floor,' 'The brakes unexpectedly locked up,' 'The vehicle experienced a sudden loss of braking power,' or 'The brake warning lights illuminated right as the brakes failed']. This occurred while traveling at approximately 25 mph on a one-lane road. This total/partial loss of braking power created an immediate safety hazard and a high risk of a crash. The vehicle had to be shifted into manual, then safely coasted to a stop. No prior warning signs or brake issues occurred immediately leading up to this event.

NHTSA ODI 11738680

My battery warning light on the dash is illuminated with the notification saying "service battery charging system." I've researched online and found out that more vehicles of the same year make and model of my vehicle have been recalled for the same issue, but when putting in my vin number my vehicle does not show up. This issue poses a high risk of danger if not fixed and I would like it to be fixed at dealership for free because I'm a single mother of 2 and can not afford it at the time.

NHTSA ODI 11735733

The vehicle was purchased on 04/07 and represented with a mileage of 167,334 at the time of sale. No issues with the odometer or mileage accuracy were disclosed prior to purchase. On 04/08, the vehicle was taken to Walmart Auto Care Center for routine service, where it was identified and documented that the odometer/instrument cluster is not functioning and does not display or track mileage. Because the odometer is inoperative, the stated mileage cannot be verified, and the condition existed at the time of sale but was not disclosed. The vehicle was sold in a condition where accurate mileage could not be determined, despite a specific mileage being provided. The failure of the odometer creates a safety concern, as it prevents proper tracking of maintenance intervals, including oil changes, brake servicing, and other critical upkeep. This increases the risk of operating the vehicle with worn or unsafe components, which could lead to mechanical failure while driving. The issue has been confirmed by an independent service center, and documentation is available. The vehicle remains available for inspection upon request. No prior warnings, indicator lights, or disclosures were provided before purchase, and the defect was identified within one day of ownership.

NHTSA ODI 11734090

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Yes How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The car stalls and/or shuts down while in use Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or others? Yes Were there any warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem before the failure, and when did they first appear? Use Purchase date 3/31/2026. First sign of issues 4/3/2026

NHTSA ODI 11731828

The electrical system has caused the car to stop mid traffic multiple times while driving. Had everything checked and it does it multiple times with my kids in the car. The transmission stalls and when you hit the gas it ramps up but doesn’t move until last minute and jumps causing the car to be unsafe nd jump into traffic . I see it has many recalls for this year and vehicle but yet my con isn’t showing up but it definitely has those issues . It not safe to drive at all. The electrical issue cause the battery to die over night constantly jumping it over and over to start it.

NHTSA ODI 11727402

THIS IS MY 3RD COMPLAINT (Ref: Previous Reports). THE VEHICLE IS NOW A TOTAL LOSS. 1. UNRESOLVED ENGINE/STEERING (Prior Complaints): This 2013 Malibu has a documented history of sudden engine stalling and total loss of power steering at highway speeds. Despite reporting this twice to the NHTSA and to GM, the manufacturer failed to provide a remedy. 2. RECENT SYSTEMIC COLLAPSE: Prior to the car becoming completely undrivable in my driveway, the instrument cluster suffered a total blackout (no speedometer/indicators). This matches GM TSB MC-10181662-9999, proving a known design defect in the electrical system/BCM. 3. RECALL DISCREPANCY: In addition to these engine/steering failures, a mandatory federal recall for the Rear Suspension Toe Link (20V764), which I was notified of in 2020, has 'vanished' from the system without being performed. 4. DENIAL OF SERVICE: The dealer is demanding a $1,900 diagnostic fee to even look at these documented, life-threatening safety defects, including the free federal recall. This is a violation of the Maryland Implied Warranty of Merchantability. On January 6, 2026, the check engine light illuminated, followed by a total instrument cluster blackout and electrical failure. The vehicle has been undrivable in my driveway since this total system collapse. This follows years of stalling and steering issues that the manufacturer failed to remedy."

NHTSA ODI 11726999

The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the serpentine belt detached. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the serpentine belt needed to be reinstalled. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11723333

I have not been involved in no incident or accident with anybody but my vehicle is installing up and dying in the middle of the road the power steering is locking up the battery is draining and the car is cutting off I had the battery replaced and I'm still losing power in my battery and I can't figure out why I'm not too long after the battery dying and the vehicle starting up and dying it started overheating for no known reason at all shortly after sorting the overheat my navigational system and my radio has started to fail I took it to several places to have it put on machines they can figure out why the check engine light is on or why the battery is dying because it's showing that it has battery the battery life they don't know why it's falling up and down I'm checking till not sound but other than that they're not getting no read out on the machine they put it off of I'll contact the dealership because on certain 2013 Chevy Malibu equals they have a recall on the general control module system Burger is being defensive but I'm on my specific then there's not a recall online but everything that happens with the defective general control module it sounds like what's going on with my car I'll contact it the dealership and they told me that although they had the recalls on the defective funeral control module if I was to take it to a dealership and it proved to be an effective general control module that I was still going to be liable for out-of-pocket expenses because my car is not covered under the van recall and I'm not understanding how that right or how that's legal when they have all these defects of recalls on these cars and if that's what's going on with mine how is it not the same thing

NHTSA ODI 11722387

The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while idling at a stoplight, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The failure occurred on several occasions. The contact stated that after restarting the vehicle, the vehicle operated normally, but failed to immediately restart on several occasions. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, who replaced the engine oil pump, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 125,000.

NHTSA ODI 11720246

The engine light came on, later while driving the car shuts down engine reduced speed, engine power reduced. I have to restart the car and sometimes that dont help. Also the (ABS) light came on service stabilitrak, my anti brakes went out

NHTSA ODI 11713299

my power steering intermittently 'locks"Cannnot remove key from ignition.Car loses its data memory, time &date go haywire. A lot of times car wont start.I have taken it a few times to my mechanic. He has run scans, but all the codes are clear.This is the problem.He has checked the Battery&Altenator, all fine.He tried cleaning some ground wires. He feels bad charging me money because he cant fix a problem that he doesnt see.!! When the car is in the shop,the intermittent problem is not evident.!!! Very frustrating.

NHTSA ODI 11688706

GM reclassified a known safety defect affecting over 300,000 vehicles as a “special coverage campaign” instead of a recall. This has allowed them to deny timely repairs and loaner vehicles, leaving owners without safe transportation.I have been without my vehicle since August 2021. I began actively trying to repair it again in June 2025, and the dealer has had it for the past week with no resolution. Both Benton Chevrolet and Gwatney Chevrolet in Arkansas have refused to coordinate a loaner despite GM’s ability to authorize one. My family is displaced, and this is a safety hazard.GM Case #[XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11685459

I I took the car to get a smog and it didn't pass due to battery pack malfunction which leads to the alternator going out and drain the battery causing the vehicle to stall even turning off at times and the most dangerous part is it could cause a fire in the backseat and the trunk this is what the technician at the small place told me he said it's very dangerous and I need to get rid of the vehicle or fix it and there is a recall but when I put my VIN number it shows no recall but if I look up the year make and model of my vehicle it shows that every call is for that exact problem

NHTSA ODI 11680367

The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the temperature gauge started to indicate that the engine was overheating, prompting the contact to discontinue driving the vehicle. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11666018

Out of no where my car would not start. I got it jumped and took it to an auto store and they checked the battery and alternator health and it all came back great. I was able to drive it home from there and two hours later it wouldn’t start again

NHTSA ODI 11666199

The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving at various speeds with the A/C engaged, the vehicle lost motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated, and the message "Service Battery Soon" was displayed. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road and was able to restart. The vehicle was taken to an Auto Zone, where the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was then taken to an unknown dealer, where it was diagnosed with a low voltage battery. No further information was provided. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,670.

NHTSA ODI 11652133

Without any warning and while driving the MALIBU 2LT goes into engine reduced power mode and will not excel over 50mph. NEXT, the Service stable track warning light would come on intermittently and disable traction control. This is very dangerous. Also the MALIBU 2LT will jerk at the wheel without warning when the power steering warning comes on. Additionally, power steering fluid does not have a measuring device to see when it falls below the required amount needed. It’s basically a guessing game that costs over $120.00 to have checked with no real resolve .

NHTSA ODI 11628168

One day the car didn’t want to speed up and we almost had a car wreck

NHTSA ODI 11618017

vehicle stalls while driving and at stops. has 65000 miles on it. No engine light comes on. starts right back up. very dangerous while driving. Mechanics cannot determine problem they said if no warning lamps

NHTSA ODI 11610408

78153 miles 2013 Malibu econotec never 1 problem until out of the blue timing chain eats thru plastic and metal tensioners with metal and plastic shavings going into engine delillo Chevy Huntington Beach ca along with my mechanic confirmed engine replacement here lies my hazard and or product defect timing chain causes stalling idling compete shutdown rpms up and down no engine light comes I was on the freeway and on streets car completely stalls I have to shift in nuetral and pray it’s starts almost getting rear ended 3 times if this is not a safety issues wow you got to kick me I’ve read numerous reports of same issues and still no recalls plus 78,153 miles and I’m to replace the engine I’ve never heard a mechanic say old is that engine it’s how many miles this is my safety complaint

NHTSA ODI 11581446

Not starting due to loss of power I believe it's electrical.

NHTSA ODI 11579084

The car suddenly shows the service StabiliTrak engine power reduced, just like what was recalled on the 2016-2018 Chevrolet Malibu. Even though it's a 2013 Chevy Malibu, mine has the same issues. Please call me back at [XXX] to provide more information on the issues my car is experiencing. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11576599

Car randomly goes into engine reduced power mode and won't go over 50mph. Power steering either won't turn the wheels and will start working again without warning while driving and jerks wheel to the right. Service stabilitrac warning would come on intermittently and disable traction control. Service stabilitrac warning is on now everytime I crank the vehicle and traction control is never working. I have pictures where it has went in limp mode and videos of the gauges doing crazy things after this warning has come up. Very dangerous. Car will jerk the wheel without warning when power steering warning comes on.

NHTSA ODI 11539967

5/31/23, while driving uphill, car shuttered as I was slowing down at stop sign and displayed "Service Stabilitrak" & "Engine power reduced" which caused the car engine power to drop drastically. I was barely able to make it home safely with my children. On 6/1/23 tried to crank it, first time it wouldn't turn over, second time it started up. Check engine lights and messages still on, radio screen completely black (has gone out multiple times at random over past two years). Drove around the block with half power. On 6/2/23, attempted to crank three times, never turned over. Popped the hood to discover negative battery terminal severely coroded. While cleaning terminal, find battery cables possible faulty. Upon research, discovered how many thousands of others have the exact same issue, GM refuses to acknowledge to release a recall for those like me who can't afford hundreds wasted having anyone even looking at it, much less paying for guesstimating the wrong solution. So now I'm stranded along with my children, and don't have any resources to hope for a solution in the near future.

NHTSA ODI 11525180

My 2013 Chevy Malibu Eco 2LT has 120,000 miles on it. I purchased the vehicle at 68,000 miles from the only owner of the car. I have had the car 6 years and kept up on all maintenance. While I was driving in a 45mph zone my vehicle’ s interior lighting started flashing. My dash flashed then said service stability track, car went blank then back on said service power steering flashed again and said service battery charging system and then went completely dead. When I got to the bottom of the hill to turn off main road my brakes had locked up in the rear and I had no power steering and wheel locked could not turn wheel. Vehicle would not allow me to shift into neutral so I could be pushed out of traffic and I had no flashers or any power. Battery was 1year old. My biggest concern is that the vehicle never alerted me with a service engine light. There was no indication that my alternator was not responding. And mechanics and dealership service shop are wanting thousands of dollars for possible parts and labor without a clear idea of what the exact issue is. I believe that this issue was recalled but since my vehicle was not manufactured in a specific state was never repaired. I believe that my GCM has a malfunction that was to be replaced and reprogrammed with the appropriate software!!

NHTSA ODI 11519574